Shadows of Destiny

~Leo~

The call I got from Casper didn't sit well with me. Trackers that did not belong to the pack of an ally

were a problem. I did not know what or who they were tracking, and the fact that I wasn't in the

Mountain to protect and defend my territory was an issue. I looked at Amelia and Max, where they

stood waiting to see our bags and knew I had to make a careful judgment call. Attending the meeting

was compulsory, but remaining in the north was optional. I also need to stay to help Amelia with her

lineage. Deep down, I knew something would have to give.

I braced myself and hoped Casper would be able to handle the matter and that they would not need me

in the east because it would suck if I had to leave Amelia behind and go back to the east.

Knowing she was being careful, I did not want her to think I was dumping her or trying to get away from

her. She might not make a fuss, but I knew it would hurt her.

I plastered a half smile on my face and moved toward them.

"How do you feel, Moonlight," I asked her, and she beamed at me.

It was obvious she was enjoying the experience.

Unlike her, Max and I wanted to get our luggage and get out of the place. People had begun to

recognise me, and I did not need the attention I was obtaining.

To my surprise, our luggage was brought in a trolly.

"Councilman, Albert. Welcome to Lucland," The man pushing the trolly said with the utmost respect,

and I thanked him.

I knew we needed to get out of there immediately before the cameras got involved.

Too late. I saw the first flash, grabbed Amelia's hands, and began walking quickly towards the arrival

section's exit.

I hoped the camera wouldn't give chase, but they did, and the moment we were out the door, they were

in our faces.

I heard Amelia giggling and looked at her.

She seemed to be enjoying the attention, and it was cute. She was even posing playfully. I wondered if

she would laugh so much if she realized she would be on the front page of a tabloid the next day.

"They will print it in the papers," I linked her, and she froze.

Just then, the car taking us to the hotel pulled up in front of us.

I opened the door for Amelia to enter, then followed her in.

Max sat in front, and the driver started the engine.

"Is it always like this?" Amelia asked, and I nodded.

"That is why I like the east. I am not a celebrity there," I teased, and she laughed.

We spent the ride in silence.

Since Amelia came from Gad, nothing about Lucland would surprise her. The Volkovs built both cities,

so they were similar. Soon she rested her body on mine and fell asleep.

It was cute and trusting of her to sleep in the car of a stranger she did not know. She must really count

on my ability to protect her. It was heartwarming that she trusted me so much, but I could not yet trust

her with my heart. I was planning to be patient and wait and see.

We arrived at the hotel, and Amelia woke up. The staff got our luggage, and we went to the concierge

to handle certain things. We got the key to our suite and used the elevator to get to our floor.

I made some last-minute changes to the arrangement. While Amelia and I would use the suite. I got a

room on the same floor for Max so we could have our privacy.

When we got to our floor, I handed Max his room key card, and he was excited.

"I am so happy you did this. Honestly, I did not want to be listening to both of you at night. This means I

will have a good rest," He said, walking away and searching for his room number dragging his luggage

behind him.

The man with the trolly smiled a bit, seeing Max's excitement when he found out he wouldn't share a

suite with us.

We finally got to our suite, and I hoped they got the romantic arrangement right.

I did not know if Amelia would like it, but that was me trying.

Knowing she did not grow up like most women I know, surprising her would be challenging because I

was yet to know her. We entered the suite, and the windows were closed. The place was dark, but the

surprise was in the bedroom. I tipped the staff, and he left with his trolly.

"Do you like it?" I finally asked her, and she smiled like a little girl.

"It is beautiful, Leo." She said and rushed to hug me.

I could feel her joy. I hadn't done anything, and she was genuinely happy.

I held her close to my body and bent to kiss her sweet lips. She responded without hesitation.

I kissed her, and then we broke the kiss to catch our breaths.

"I never got to thank you properly for saving my life last night," I said, and I saw that she was shy and

tried to look away.

So I touched her chin and had her look at me.

"Aurora is the most gorgeous wolf I have ever seen. I am not saying this to flatter you, Amelia; I mean

it," I said, and she searched my eyes. I was curious to know what she was looking for, but I hoped she

would be pleased with whatever she found in them.

She pulled me closer to her, and that was it.

We began to kiss and undress.

I wanted her to see the romantic arrangement in the bedroom; we would have to make do.

We stripped to our underwear and tried to go to the bedroom. I broke the kiss when we entered

because I wanted her to see how much I cared.

The curtains were shut, the dark room was softly lit, and roses were everywhere.

They did not get the exact arrangement I wanted, but I appreciated the effort on short notice.

"For me," she said, covering her mouth, a bit shocked, and then she looked at me and looked around

again; by now, I could see her tears.

"No one has ever done something for me before. This is beautiful, Leo," She said to me, and I carried

her bridal style and placed her on the bed.

"You should get used to it because you deserve this and much more," I told her, leaning over her and

gazing into her eyes. I searched for a part of my soul in them and knew I would find it if I tried a bit

harder.

I bent to kiss her neck, and her moan was all the invite I needed to do the things I had wanted to do to

her since last night. Amelia and I made love, and soon we lay naked and spent. Her head was on my

chest while I caressed her back.

It was too early for sleep, but I knew Amelia would soon fall asleep because of the multiple orgasms

she experienced. I was proud that I did not disappoint her.

"When is the meeting?" She finally asked me, and I sighed.

"Tomorrow morning," I replied, and she was silent.

"Are

going back to Mountain after then?" She asked, and I did not know the answer yet. I did not want and

then do something else.

say something

"I am not sure; it depends," I said, and she kissed my chest and held me tighter. Soon she fell asleep.

I remained awake because a lot of things weighed on my mind. The most important of all was the

trackers and the Alexie matter. Somehow I was uneasy about it all.

I did not need the distraction because I was trying to develop something meaningful with Amelia. Still,

the trouble was knocking, and I could feel it.

I heard my phone vibrate and gently slid off the bed to get it. The name made my stomach churn.

"Hello," I said, bracing myself for the response I would get.

"Leo, where are you? We were told you landed in Lucland four hours ago," Theodore Orlov said, and I

relaxed. I had thought he had called to discuss his wife's case with Kyle.

"I am staying in a hotel," I said.

"Why stay in a hotel when you have a room in the estate?" he asked, and I did not know what to tell

him.

"I know you came with someone. You know you can bring her here, right. That way, Marcel and

Dominic will stop trying to hook you up with ladies," he said, and we laughed.

I looked at Amelia, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed, and I doubted she was ready for that level

of exposure.

"I am not sure, Theo. I doubt Amelia is ..." I started, and he did not let me finish.

"Bring her first and figure it out later. You have no business staying in a hotel." Theodore said, and I

sighed.

"Also, Max Blanch is with me," I said, and Theodore was silent as expected.

"What is with those two?" Theo said, sounding irritated. and I chuckled.

"He is over Avery, Theo. He has a case that Sylvester has approved. Someone cheated in a challenge

and took his pack, and he is seeking justice. Avery isn't one of the things on his mind. He moved on

long ago," I said, and I knew what I was saying was true.

Unlike Kyle, Max wasn't living in denial and deceiving himself. He accepted his wrongs, and he found a

way to forgive himself. "Well, I did not know about Blanch. We will send him to the delta wing if he

comes here." Theo said, and honestly, I wasn't expecting he would still invite me.

"Very well, we will join you in the estate after the hearing tomorrow," I said, and he laughed, sounding

pleased.

"Is she the one?' He asked me, and I looked at Amelia and decided to play it safe.

"Still thinking about it, Theo. I am not sure, but I think we are heading somewhere," I said, and he was

silent for a bit. I know he did not like what I said.

"Love is a rare thing, Leo. Do not throw it away by being too careful. Whoever this girl is, I am sure she

isn't another Tamia or Amanda. She is unique, and because of that, you shouldn't compare. If you are

interested, I advise you to dive in deep instead of surfing on the surface," he advised me, and I sighed.

I understood his point.

"I know, and I am trying," I said.

"Well, that is a good start," he said, and I was pleased that he wouldn't ask anything else.

"See you at the hearing. Call any of us if you need anything. I will give Sylvester and Tamia the update.

They hoped you would come to the Estate today, but I will let you be," He said, and we both hung up.

I stood in the room looking at Amelia as she slept peacefully in bed, and I was afraid, not of falling in

love, but of breaking her.

I prayed that the goddess would grant me wisdom and strength not to mess this up.

I got into bed and pulled her close to hold her. Suddenly I regretted rejecting the bond.